Datuk Dr. James Jeremiah Honoured with Healthcare Excellence Award at Anugerah Gemilang Maju Jaya (AGMJ) 2026
KOTA KINABALU, 11th July 2026 – Renowned medical veteran and founder of the Permai Polyclinics Group, YBhg Datuk Dr. James Jeremiah, was formally recognized for his outstanding contributions to the medical field at the prestigious Anugerah Gemilang Maju Jaya (AGMJ) 2026. Held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), the glittering gala celebrated figures who have dedicated their lives to community enrichment and national growth.
Datuk Dr. James was bestowed with the accolade for Professional Dalam Bidang Kesihatan Gemilang Maju Jaya (Excellence in the Professional Healthcare Sector), acknowledging over four decades of tireless clinical service, community health leadership, and healthcare entrepreneurship in Sabah and beyond.
A Star-Studded Night of Recognition
The AGMJ 2026 platform was established to honor exceptional leaders, academics, and icons across multiple sectors, ensuring that dedicated community service remains valued and celebrated. The event was officiated by the wife of the Sabah Chief Minister, YABhg Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Hajah Juliah Salag, who also serves as the Chairperson of MUTIARA GRS.
Datuk Dr. James shared the prestigious stage with notable national and local trailblazers, including sports legend Datuk Pandelela Rinong and legendary arts figures such as Datuk Deddy M. Borhan, Stacy, and Ayu Damit.
According to the organizing chairman, Dato Paduka Rehan Rahim, the awards represent more than simple individual achievement; they act as a symbol of unity, care, and collective harmony across a pluralistic society.
A Legacy of Accessible Healthcare
The award stands as a testament to Datuk Dr. James’s lifelong mission to bring quality, accessible medical services to everyday communities.
The Visionary Pioneer: After earning his MBBS from Mysore University in 1984 and spending his early career serving as a government Medical and Area Health Officer in Beaufort and Labuan, he ventured into private practice.
The Permai Growth Story: In 1993, he conceptualized the Permai Polyclinics Group. What began as a single clinic has grown into a robust network of over 40 branches across East and West Malaysia.
Socioeconomic Impact: Under his leadership as Chairman, the group has become a vital economic engine for Sabah, providing direct employment to over 500 local medical, nursing, and administrative personnel and over 70 resident doctors.
Beyond building a healthcare empire, Datuk Dr. James has remained a sharp clinical academic and occupational health specialist, holding advanced qualifications in Tropical Medicine, Genitourinary Medicine, Reproductive Medicine, and Occupational Medicine. He continues to serve actively in civic society, acting as an influential member of the Malaysian Medical Council Disciplinary Board, Vice President of the Sabah Kidney Foundation, and Honorary Advisor to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Sabah.
The healthcare recognition at AGMJ 2026 highlights a career defined not just by corporate success, but by an unwavering commitment to the health, well-being, and livelihoods of the people of Sabah.
